7 tips for more sustainable labs

If you’re seeking ways to decarbonise your biopharma’s operations, look no further than the places where your scientists conduct groundbreaking research to make changes.

Real estate accounts for around 40% of global carbon emissions, according to the World Green Building Council, making it a critical target of many sustainability programs. Improving energy efficiency in your labs and offices is the smartest way to reduce emissions in the short to medium term because it not only helps you meet your sustainability goals, but also cuts your energy costs, which could ultimately save you millions.

The promise of lower utility bills is a powerful selling point amid rising energy costs, but it’s hardly the only business benefit of sustainable lab operations. Other advantages include:

• Energy security: Amid soaring global energy demand, improving efficiency helps boost energy security.

• Business resiliency: Some practices designed to improve energy efficiency also enhance equipment performance and minimise emergency repairs, improving uptime.

• Water security: As water scarcity becomes a growing problem, practices that reduce consumption help ensure continued access to clean water.

• Regulatory compliance: Capturing and reporting accurate energy and emissions data is essential to comply with tightening regulations in many locations.

• Talent attraction and retention: Many employees increasingly prefer to work for companies committed to environmental sustainability.

• Brand reputation: Going green can boost your reputation with investors and in the communities where you do business.

A sustainable lab is an efficient lab, a place where talent thrives and innovation flourishes. The following seven tips can help you shrink your lab’s environmental footprint without compromising operational efficiency.

1) Start with a sustainable foundation

It’s easier to go green in a building with energy-efficient systems, plentiful natural light and other green features. Prioritising sustainability during site selection and the build-out of your new space will greatly reduce your environmental impact over the building’s lifecycle.

In addition to looking for certifications like LEED and BREEAM, ask your landlord for a green lease option that includes clauses to improve the building’s environmental performance.

While a green building can deliver meaningful benefits, limited supply makes them hard to find for many companies. In 2025, 30% of projected demand for low-carbon offices will not be met, rising to over 70% in 2030. If moving into a more sustainable building isn’t in your immediate future, there are many meaningful ways to advance your sustainability goals in your current space.

2) Lead with data

You can’t manage what you can’t measure. You need the right infrastructure to track and analyse data, like submetering for energy and water utilities.

An energy audit lets you quickly see your highest energy consumption and thus, where to prioritise. Similarly, a waste audit helps you understand the composition of your waste streams and whether items are being sorted correctly for landfill, recycling and compost.

Data played a central role in helping one biotechnology company meet its aggressive waste reduction target. We helped them create a customised energy and recycling dashboard that revealed valuable insights that translated into an action plan that included employee training, high-tech waste collection bins and innovative waste-to-energy partnerships. The efforts reduced landfill waste by 3.15 metric tonnes (MT)/month.

3) Upgrade to efficient equipment and fixtures

If you are replacing major equipment or building systems like a chiller, boiler or lab equipment, choosing efficient options will save costs over time. An upgrade to an energy efficient system typically pays for itself within five years. Meanwhile, efficient lighting, low-flow water fixtures and closed-loop systems conserve resources and save costs.

4) Use technology to automate

Not all lab equipment needs to run 24/7, but sometimes people forget to turn off non-critical equipment, such as lab hoods and lights. Smart controls can do this automatically functioning similar to when your computer or monitor goes into sleep mode. These smart switches and plugs deliver significant energy savings without requiring major expense, ultimately producing a strong return on investment.

Smart technology also conserves resources through leak detection systems and automated waste sorting guidance. Additional options include fault detection and diagnostic tools that integrate with your building automation system to continuously learn and optimise operations, such as adjusting temperature based on occupancy.

Improving the building automation system was a key component of one life sciences company’s energy and water programme. By embracing automation and enhancing the boiler and heating system , the company unlocked annual cost savings of US$8.3 million while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 16,700 metric tonnes per year.

5) Create a culture of sustainability

While technology can automate many aspects of a sustainability programme, people’s actions also matter, and creating a greener workplace requires your entire workforce. Just like safety, sustainability isn’t one person’s job. Everyone needs to operate in a sustainable way.

Education, training and awareness campaigns are essential to the success of many sustainability programmes. For example, when Pfizer took steps to minimise waste generation and promote a circular economy, the company educated employees on proper waste disposal while establishing recycling infrastructure.

Show employees the environmental impact of their actions through data storytelling, and connect these actions to your end goals. When people understand the bigger story they are part of, a simple action like turning off a light has more meaning.

6) Establish sustainable standards

Incorporating sustainability into your design and operations standards supports the adoption of greener practices, especially if you have multiple properties in your portfolio.

For example, one life sciences company had a specific design standard for air changes in their ventilation system — the number of times the air in a room is fully replaced per hour. When new research showed they could safely reduce air changes by 25% to 30%, they updated their design standard, significantly cutting energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

7) Engage with suppliers

Leading pharmaceutical companies like Merck are creating supplier sustainability programmes to encourage vendors to adopt sustainable practices. Such programmes help ensure suppliers produce and transport goods responsibly and design them for easier recycling.

This also requires developing a sustainability procurement policy and training your procurement team to prioritise sustainability in purchasing decisions. When working with suppliers who don’t yet comply with your standards, take them along on your journey. Help them understand what’s motivating your changes, and provide training to help them reach the necessary benchmarks – rather than simply leaving them behind.

Cut energy costs and emissions with more sustainable labs

Sustainable lab practices create meaningful cost savings while reducing risk, enhancing talent attraction and retention, and increasing operational resiliency. Your integrated facilities management partner can help you realise the benefits of a comprehensive sustainability programme.

JLL helps leading life sciences companies put environmental plans into action—reducing the impact on the planet while making operations run more smoothly. Our global team supports every step of the process—from development ideas to putting them into practice. We connect your company's environmental goals with the everyday work that happens in your buildings and labs, making sure your plans become real-world improvements.

Contact us today to learn more.